Niblett's Bluff in the War Between the States by Michael Dan Jones

This is the history of General Alfred Mouton's regiment, the 18th Louisiana Infantry, which he led throughout the War for Southern Independence, from Shiloh to Mansfield. Click on image for more information.

Confederate Guards Response Battalion

History of the one of the hardest fighting Louisiana units during the War for Southern Independence.

1st Louisiana Zouaves

This is the story of one of the most unique and famed Louisiana units in the War for Southern Independence, the 1st Louisiana Zouaves . Made up largely of foreigners from many countries, the men wore the gaudy French Zouave uniform and fought with a fierce determination for the new Southern Republic.

Dick Dowling and the Jefferson Davis Guard

This is the story of one of the most famous and celebrated Confederate units. Click on image for details.

Confederate States Rangers of the 10th Louisiana Infantry

Company K in the War for Southern Independence

Lt. Col. King Bryan of Hood's Texas Brigade

Freedom Fighter for Texas and Southern Independence

The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou by Michael Dan Jones

This is a concise history of the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi from December 26-29, 1862. Also covered are the preliminary cavalry raids of generals Earl Van Dorn and Nathan Bedford Forrest. The book contains maps, photographs and illustrations, bibliography and index.

9th Battalion Louisiana Infantry

This is the history of the 9th Battalion Louisiana Infantry which fought at the Battle of Baton Rouge and the Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana in the War for Southern Independence. The unit took part in the famous charge of Allen's Brigade at Baton Rouge. The men of the unit were fighting in defense of their own home area since most were from East Baton Rouge and nearby parishes. Click on image for more information.

Mouton's Charge at the Battle of Mansfield and the Red River Campaign

This is the story of the famous attack at the Battle of Mansfield, La., April 8, 1864, led by Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton.

The Vicksburg 28th Louisiana Infantry

Click picture for more information.

The Tiger Rifles: The Making of a Louisiana Legend

The Toughest Fighting Men in the Confederate Army

The Battle of Calcasieu Pass

A history of the May 6, 1864 battle in Southwest Louisiana between two Union gunboats and a diverse group of Confedrates. Click photo for more information.

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Friday, August 31, 2012

150-Years-Ago -- THE BOMBARDMENT OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

GALVESTON WEEKLY NEWS,

September 3, 1862

Bombardment of Corpus Christi.

Col. Alfred Hobby8th Texas Infantry

We have heard many vague reports of late about an attempt by the enemy to take Corpus Christi, but have refrained from saying anything on that subject for the want of reliable and definite information. We now learn, however, on good authority, that the enemy, having removed the obstructions in the channel, went up near the city and sent a flag of truce demanding the surrender of the city. This was on Friday, the 15th last, Maj. Hobby replied that he would not surrender the town, nor would fire upon them until they attempted to land, in which case he would make the best defence [sic] possible. They then left, but returned the next day with several schooners and a propeller, and took soundings within sixty yards of the wharf. But as Maj. Hobby had said he would not fire upon them without their attempted to land, so no gun was fired. The enemy again went away, but returned the third time on next day (Sunday) and commenced bombarding the city, continuing to fire as rapidly as they could from day light til 11 1/2 A.M. The fire was vigorously returned by Maj. Hobby from two 32-pounders, two 18-pounders and one 12 pounder. The enemy then retired. They are said to have had seven small vessels including one propeller. The town was badly damaged, almost every building having been perforated with the shells. Only one person on our side was hurt, and this was a gentleman from Bell county, whose name we have not received. He was killed by a shot. There were sufficient evidences that the enemy suffered quite as much if not more than our men, for broken fragments of the enemy's vessels were drifted ashore by cart loads, and the propeller finally used her sails only when she left, evidently having her machinery too much damaged to get up steam. They, however, returned again on Monday morning, the 18th inst., and renewed the bombardment, continuing to throw shells from 9 A.M. till about 12 M., when they again left, having probably received fully as good as they sent, and more than they had bargained for. On Tuesday they returned to the bombardment a third time, but left again after firing some 60 shells. No more lives were lost on our side, nor a single person wounded, but the town, we learn, has been badly damaged, some of the best houses being perforated by 15 or 20 shells each. Very few of the enemy's shells exploded, and this probably accounts for the few casualties. Every man in Corpus Christi and in the vicinity, able to bear arms, participated in the fight, but of course their rifles and muskets could not be made available at such a distance. The whole number of men under Maj. Hobby was between 700 and 800, about 200 of whom were volunteers. ...Our informant was not present at this bombardment, but reached the vicinity about the time, on his way from Brownsville, and the above account was given him by those who participated. The women and children left the city before the bombardment commenced. Our informant did not learn that the enemy effected a landing at all, but we see by the account in the Goliad Messenger that on one occasion forty of the Federals landed, but were immediately charged by twenty of our men, and driven back to their boats, with a loss of four of their number killed or wounded. It appears, from the Messenger, that the name of the man killed in Maj. Hobby's battalion was Mote. A grape-shot passed through his head, and grazed the forehead of Maj. Hobby, but without inflicting much injury on the latter.